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(N o Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

G. C; GLAWSON.

AUTOMATIC WEIGHING' AND PACKAGE FILLING-MACHINE. N0, 315,730.. Patented Apr. 14, 1885.

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LLLQ/MW (No ModeL) g sheets isheet 2.

0. G. OLAWSON. AUTOMATIC WEIGHING AND PACKAGE PI LLINC MACHINE.

Patented Apr. 14, 1885.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLEMENT o. CLAWSON, on NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR or one-HALF I TO THURBER, WHYLAND a 00., or NEW YORK, N. Y.

AuTo'M-AndwEfGH-mo AND PACKAGE-FILLING MACHINE.-

' SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 315,730, dated April 14, 1885.

Application filed November 12, 1854. (No model.)

To dz; whom itmay concern:

Be it known that I, CLEMENT O. CLAWSON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Newark, Essex county, State of New Jersey, formerly of Raleigh, North Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic \Veighing and Package-Filling Machines, of which the following specification is a full,clear, and exact description.

This invention has reference more particularly to machinery for filling packages of card board, paper, and other. materials with equal weights of powdered substances-so ch as cornstarch, flour, and the like-and for settling 1 the powder in said packages.

or parts thereof, may, however,be applied to other kinds'of machinery. I 7

It consists in the combination, with a hopper and one or more antomaticweighing-scales 2O having supply-gates connected with and operated by said scales, of inclined blades for forcing or crowding the substance in the hopper into the said delivery opening 'or openings. By this means the flow of the powdered 2' 5 substance through the delivery openings,

which does not readily take place by the action of gravity alone, on account of the lightness of the material and its tendency to pack together, is assisted, so that a free delivery is 0 obtained whenever the supply-gates are withdrawn.

Heret-ofore it has been common to feed light 4 material througha hopperopening by means of a screw; but, so far as'I am aware, a screwhopper has not been combined with an automatic weighingscale having a supply-gate connected with and operated by thescale. It

is found that the compacting of the powdered substance above the supply-gate does not in- 40 terfere (the parts being properly proportioned) with the movements of the gate, but, on the contrary, that it has a beneficial effect in preventing the scale from rebounding when the load moves down the scale'pan and closes the gate.

The invention also consists in means for maintaining a uniform quantity of the powdere'd substance in the hopper. For this purpose the hopper issuppli'ed through a spout 5o in flwhich isacut-off for regulating the flow,

" epcgs'ition of this cut-off is controlled The invention,

by a float which is acted upon by the sub stance inthe. hopper. \Vhen the substance accumulates toa sufficient depth, it stops the flow, and as the substance is drawn off it reopens the valve and lets the hopper fill up again.

The invention further consists in a tapping apparatus or attachment for shaking down the substance in the package, the samie having one or more tappers 0r tapping-arms arranged to strike the bottom of the package. It is found that practically such tappingis much more efiective in shaking down the substance than when the blows are made on the sides of the package.

The invention also comprises certain special combinations and arrangements of parts, as, hereinafter set forth.

Thefaccompanying drawings represent an automatic weighing and package-filling machine constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 1 is afront elevation, certain parts being shown in section; Fig. 2, a vertical crosssection, on a larger scale, in elevation, looking to the left of Fig. 1; and Figs. 3 and 4, (le tail views.

A is the base of the machine-frame, or, as hereinafter called, the pedestal; B, an upright stationary shaftlhaving its lower end set (and keyed, if desired) in a socket in the pedestal; O, arotary frame supported by and turning upon the top of the pedestal. 'G is a marble top or table restingupon and turned with frame 0; D, a hollow column, bolted at the foot to the revolving frame,- and at the upe [per end fitting around the upright stationary shaft, which forms a journal therefor; E, an annular hopper fixed to and supported by the hollow column; F, a spider-frame attached to the stationary shaft, and G a series of weighing-scales, 2

Motion ,is imparted to the frame 0 and-table O in the direction of the arrow through the bevel-gears e and f and the horizontal shaft H, that is journaled in bearingsin the brackets g, and is driven by a belt running on the pulley h. Uponthe-table are placed weighing-scales G-say four in number, although there may be less or more. In the bottom of the hopper there are as many openings as there are scales on the table. and the description of one will suffice for all. Attached to the beam just back of the fulcrum is the vertical arm I, to the upper end of which is fastened the gate 1, that controls the delivcry of the material from the hopper. Under each of the openings in the bottom of the hopper is a mouth-piece, K. Its lower edges lie in a plane inclined to the horizontal to the same degree as the gate 1' when closed. This I supply-gate works out of contact with but in close proximity to the said edges. The arm I ismade adjustable, so that the proper relation of the gate to the hoppers mouth may be readily secured. As shown, the end of the arm fits in a socket-piece, n, attached-to the scale-beam, and is held in place byaset-screw, 'n', by loosening which the arm may be moved up ordown. A small housing, P,is preferably "secured under the mouth-piece. Thescale-pan is provided with avertically-adj ustable package-support, K, having the laterally-adjust- -able gage plates L L. The packages are placed on the support K between the gageplates. 7 The latch N is pivoted at s to the scale-pan. At its lower end the said latch is adapted to engage the notch 12, and at its up-. per end is provided with a contact piece, t, to be'strucl; by the carton or package when inserted, so as to press back the upper. end of the latch and hold the lower end out of the notch.- Above eachdeliv'ery-opening in the hopper is placed an adjustable valve, 50,:for regulating the size of opening, and thus 'controlling the delivery. It is; attached to the lower end of the carrier 51, pivoted at 52 to the inner wall of the hopper. A spring, 53, (shown as spiral tension-spring) tends to with? draw the valve so as to uncover the opening; but its action is resisted bythe screw-stop 54. By adjusting the screw in the proper position the opening can be made larger or smaller, as described. In connection with these valves a cam, 55, is or may be employed. It is fixed to v the spider-frame F, and is so arranged that as the valve-carriers 51 pass under it they are turned in the direction nearly to close the valves, leaving butasmall opening. The object of this is to combine quickness with accuracy of weighing. The stop 54 is so adjusted I through the opening by the time the valve-car .rier reach es the cam. During this time the flow may be comparatively rapid. \V-hen the upp er end of the valve-carrier strikes the-cam,'the

valveis advanced and the material flows from the hopper in a'fine stream, which favors accuracyln weighing. It is not, however, neces- .sary to use the cam 55, for the valves can be ad- 1 6o justed so that the stream from the hopper is always small enough'to secure accurate weighing. The valves 50 are supported above the bottom of the hopper in order to catch the material and force it into the opening. The better to I 65 accomplish .thls purpose, the edge ofthe monthpiece K, which projects above thebottom oi the hopper, is cut away at 56, and the front that almost the desired weight will have passed after it has been weighed into them is place at the frontof thejmaehine; It consists of a (See Fig. 3.) It is evident that a piece not adjust-able, to act as a valve, could be-used for this purpose of forcing the material into the opening. It is preferred, however, -to make the valve perform the double function. The valves or raised pieces 50 are assistedin their work of forcing the material through the open- 7 The scales are alike, l of the valve, which is made thick, is'bev eled.

ings by the inclined blades 57, which are set; I

at intervals on the stationary curved rod 5 8. This curvedsrod is attached to and supported by thependent rods 59 from the spider-frame F. As the hopper revolves .it carriesthe sub:

stance thereiuunder the inclined blades, wh ich compact the substance at the bottom of the hopper, and alsoforce it into'the deliveryopenings. At the same time they hold back .the substance ormateriahtso that it does not.

move around quite so fast as the hopper. Consequently the valves or raised pieces plow their way (so to' speak) through the compacted material, and the result is a steadynnd practically uniform delivery of the material or substance from the hopper. Thematerial is fed into the hopper from the bin litl'through the spout.6l. In the bin 60 is a stirrer, 62, which is kept in continual rotation by a belt on pulley 63. At the bottom of the bin the cut-off 6i, pivoted at to the spout, andecn trolled by the float 66. This float consists ofa metal plate, which preferably has the edges bent down, as shown. As the material is carried under the plate, it holds it up, and thus regulates the position of the cut-off. When sufficient material has collected in the hopper,'it stops entirely the flow from the bin.

For each weighing-scale on the rotary table- G' is a sliding 'rod. U, supported partly inthe frame 0 and partly in the bracket Q. which just under the scale-beam. I \Vhen the rod' U" is raised, it prevents the scale-pan from rising and the supply gate I from opening. The main object of using these rods U and camX is to insure that the gate shall be closed during removal of the full packagefrom thescalepan and the insertion of anempty one. They also allow the supply-gate to open gradually.

The tapping apparatus or attachmenti'or shaking down the materialin the-packages supporting-frame, 160, a e0nveyer-belt, 161, atapperv or tapping-arm, 162, arranged under the belt, the operating mechanism, and the.

side plates, 163, for retaining the packages in; f

place on the belt; The conveyer-belt 161 isrevolvedata speed corresponding with that of the table 0', so that it will hold the packages as fast as they are filled with the mate rial. It is driven from the pulley 164 on shaft ll of the machine through the belt I65, pulley- 168 on shaft 67, worm 68 onsaid shaft, and- IlO larger worm-gear 69 on the journal of pulley '59 at the right end, Fig. 1', of the frame. The.

7 the package.

' tance to the workmen whose duty it is to close and the machine is started.

on the underside of the belt, and indirectly on said conveyer-belt, and as'they pass over -isforced through the delivery openings in belt travels over, and when loaded with packa waste 1 nan Hi sn' r19. nipnps '7 A? the ran'm, Betweent ese s1 e pieces is the tapper 162, mounted on the horizontal arm of bell-crank lever 620, supported and turning upon the pin or, rod 72. It is vibrated by the conjoint action of*a-ratchet-whee1, -73, and a spring, 74 (shown as a spiral spring) fastened at one end to the'depending-or short arm of lever 620,, and at the-other to a pin on the frame. The ratchet-teeth acting against'a pin in the lower end of the short arm of lever 620 withdraw thetapper against the action of the spring, andwhen-t-hey-release it the spring throws it up, so that it gives a smart blow directly upthat'is,'throu'gh thebelt-upon the bottom of The side plates, 163, are supported upon the studs or pins 7 5, which project laterally from the side pieces by arms 76, where hubs fit over the said studs or pins,and are held thereon by set-screws, so that the said plates are adjustable toward and away from each other. Thepackages as they are taken from the weighing-scales are placed upright the tapper have their contents shaken down. The conveyer-bclt can be extended to any disand seal up the packages. The belt passes or may pass over the top of a table at which the workmen are seated.

The operation of the machine or apparatus is as follows: The scales being all latched down, so that all the gates 1 are closed, and the valves 50, package-supports K, gage-plates L L, and the scale-weights being properly adjusted, the hopper E is filled to the proper depth-say one-third-with the material to be weighed and packed, the bin is also filled, The table 0 be ing revolved, the scales are successively made to pass the attendant, who is stationed in front of the cam X. As they come opposite him, he places a carton or empty package between the gage-plates L L until he presses back and releases the latch N. The scale-pan, with its carton or package, does not, however, rise immediately, because the rod U is still raised by the cam X, and the device 2' upholds the scale-beam, keeping the gate 1 closed. As the rod U is gradually allowed to descend, the gate 1 opens and allows the material to descend into the carton or package. The powdered material in the hopper a constant stream by the combined action ot the inclined blades 57 andvalves or raised pieces 50. If the cam 55 be used, the valves 50 are nearly closed as the scales'come under it, so that a fine stream is delivered. This change takes place after the bulk of the charge has been-delivered into the package. \Vhen the full charge has been received, the sealepan descends, closing the supply-gate 1 and stopping the delivery. After the delivery ceases, the rod U is again raised by the cam X, when the full package is removed and a frnqh mm ut on its place. As soon as the full package is removed, the latch N immediately drops intoengagement with the notch 12, and-it the attendant should neglect to insert an empty carton it would continue to hold down the scale and keep closed the gate until released by the insertion of a fresh package. Should the attendant not remove a full package. its weight would of course keep the gate 1 closed. The packages as they are re moved from the scales are placed on the con- -veyerbelt 161, and by it carried above the tapper162, which shakes down the contents, and thence to the workman who seals the packages.

If it be not desired to use the ta'pper, it can be thrownout of action by releasing the tension of the retra ctile spring Ti.

Modifications may be made in details without departing from the spirit of the invention, and parts of the invention may-be uscd separately.

Some new improvements in the-weighingscales are shown herein, as well as in my application filedot' even date herewith, and ofticially numbered 15,801. No claim is, however, made herein to any matter shown in that application; but itis designed to claim all such matters therein, so far as they may be new.

Having thus explained the nature of the invention-and the manner in which the same is or may be carried into effect, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, with a hopperand one or more automatic weighing-scales supplied from said hopper, and provided with a gate connected with and operated by said scales to control the delivery, of one or more inclined blades for forcing the material in the hopper through the delivery opening or openings, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with an annular hopper having one or more delivery-openings, of one or more inclined blades placed therein, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with a revolving hopper, of one or more inclined stationary bladesv set therein, substantially as described.

4. The combinatiomwith the revolving hopper having one or more delivery-openings, of the raised pieces elevated above the bottom of the hopper atthedelivery-openings for forcing the material into said openings, substantially as described.

hopper and adapted to be lifted by the solid material therein, substantially as described.

8. The combination,'with one or more antomatic weighing-scales and a hopper for supplying material thereto, of a cut-olf and float for maintaining constantthe lcvcl insaid hopper, substantially as described.

9. The combination, with the stationary bin, the stirrer in the bin, thespont, and the cut-off, of the revolving hopper, and the float connected with said cut-oil,substantially as described. a v

- 10. A tapping apparatus for shaking down material in packages, comprising a tappingarm or tapper movable vertically and are ranged to strike the bottom of the packages,in

combination with mechanism for operating said arm or tapper,substantially a's'describcd.

11. The combination, with an endless belt or conveyor, of .a tapping-arm' or tapper arranged under said bcltor conveyor, and the mechanism for operating said arm or tapper,

substantially as described.

12. The combination, with an automatic weighing and package-filling machine, of a tapping apparatus or attachment having a tapping-arm or tapper arranged to shake down the material by tapping the bottom of the packages, substantially as described.

13. The combination, with an automatic weighing and package-filling machine comprising a rotating table and'antomatic weighing-scales thereon,

comprising an endless belt. receiving motion trolling said gates,

diminish the stream flowing of the tapping attachment from the said machine and placed in proximity thereto a zipping-arm or'tannmon r belt, arid t e mechanism w. v cmu fi,

arm or tappcr, substantially as described.

14. Thevcombination, with an automatic weighing and package-filling machine comprising the revolving table, the revolving hopper, the stationary inclined blades, the raised pieces at the delivery-openings in said hopper, the supply-gates, and the weighing-scales conof the tapping attachment receiving motion from said machine and placed in proximity thereto, substantially as described. I

15. The combination, with a hopper and an automatic weighing-scale supplied therefrom, I of a valve and cam for operating said valve to from said hopper after the scale has received part of its charge, substantially as described.

16. The combination of the revolving hopper, the revolving automatic scales, the valves at the the delivery-openings in said hopper, and the stationary cam for operating said valves to diminish the flow of material through aid'openings, substantially as described.

I In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name to this specificatiomin presence of I two witnesses, this 29th day of October, 1884.

- CLEMENT G. GLAWSON. Witnesses:

GEO. W. WILKms, C. J. HEDRICK. 

